HAMILTON, ON, June 6, 2012 /CNW/ - For the past eight years, dirty cars
have been making beautiful things happen for Cystic Fibrosis Canada
through the annual CARSTAR Soaps It Up for Cystic Fibrosis National Car Wash Fundraiser. At this year's event on Saturday, June
9th, CARSTAR locations across the country will surpass $2-million in
funds raised for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. To mark this major milestone,
Canada's number one auto collision network has officially declared the
dirty car an object of beauty, commissioning world-renowned "dirty car
artist" Scott Wade to literally transform dirty cars into works of art
at a one-of-a-kind single-day exhibit in Toronto. Franchise Partners
across the country will then emulate Scott Wade's work by featuring
their own dirty car art on June 9th at their local Soaps It Up car washes to celebrate the volunteers and
donors who have made the $2-million fundraising milestone possible.

CARSTAR's dirty car art exhibit in Toronto kicks-off a national
awareness campaign for this year's Soaps It Up car wash. Working with
the theme of "objects of beauty" - a category to which CARSTAR and
Scott Wade believe a dirty car truly belongs, Wade has created seven
unique works of dirty car art, inspired by iconic images of beauty
ranging from beautiful landscapes (e.g. Lake Louise) to beautiful
architecture (e.g. the Toronto skyline) to beautiful talent (e.g.
Canadian musicians ranging from Joni Mitchell to Justin Bieber). Wade's
original works will be on display on Wednesday, June 6th - in advance
of Soaps It Up weekend - at Edition / Richmond Luxury Townhomes
Presentation Centre in Toronto, who donated their event space to assist
in awareness for the cause. Photos will be posted online at www.carstar.ca/soapsitup on Thursday, June 7th.

This year's Soaps It Up for Cystic Fibrosis National Car Wash Fundraiser
marks the ninth year that volunteers and staff from CARSTAR locations
across Canada will scrub away the spring mud and give vehicles a summer
sparkle. Events will take place in 55 cities on Saturday, June 9th, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST (dates and times may vary based on
location, visit www.carstar.ca/soapsitup for more details). The funds raised at each car wash will support
Cystic Fibrosis Canada and local charities. This also marks the fourth
consecutive year that CARSTAR U.S. will be taking part in Soaps It Up
with 100 percent of the ticket purchase benefiting their selected
charities and more than 120 CARSTAR stores throughout both countries
are expected to participate in the event.

"For nine years we have been raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada,
one vehicle at a time, in hopes of finding a cure for cystic fibrosis,"
said Sam Mercanti, President and CEO of CARSTAR Collision & Glass
Centres. "To be on the cusp of $2-million in funds raised for Cystic
Fibrosis Canada is without a doubt a beautiful thing for CARSTAR and I
am tremendously proud of our Franchise Partners, vendor sponsors,
volunteers and Canadians who have supported this initiative."

CARSTAR has been a proud supporter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada since
learning that a granddaughter of a Franchise Partner had been diagnosed
with cystic fibrosis (CF). Victoria Whitaker's story inspired the Soaps
It Up campaign. Nine years later, Victoria continues to live a positive
and inspiring life in her home of Smithville, Ontario and has remained
the inspiration behind each car washed and every dollar raised.

"The funds raised through Soaps It Up are invested in life-saving CF research and care and help bring hope to
4,000 Canadians living with this devastating disease," said Maureen
Adamson, President and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. "We applaud our
outstanding partner CARSTAR for their ongoing commitment in the fight
against cystic fibrosis."

Cystic fibrosis is a multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs
and the digestive system and is the most common fatal genetic disease
that affects Canadian children and young adults. Each week in Canada,
two children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and one person dies
from the disease. There is no cure. Ultimately, most CF-related deaths
are due to lung disease.

Tickets for CARSTAR Soaps It Up can be purchased for a minimum $5
donation and are available at participating CARSTAR locations across
the country or online at www.carstar.ca/soapsitup. Consumers who purchase tickets are eligible for a chance to win one of
100 prizes including an all-inclusive trip for two to Costa Rica, an
Apple prize package (featuring a Macbook Air, iPad, and more) and a
$1,000 shopping spree.

CARSTAR is the largest and fastest growing automotive repair franchise
in North America, with over 400 locations. Founded in Hamilton, Ontario
in 1995, CARSTAR Collision & Glass Centres has grown from eight to over
160 locations throughout 10 provinces. Within Canada, CARSTAR repairs
approximately 100,000 vehicles per year, with exceptionally high
customer experience ratings. Through a variety of fundraising
initiatives, CARSTAR, its franchisees, partners and employees have
raised over $1.9 million for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. In 2012, CARSTAR
was recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. For more
information, please visit: www.carstar.ca.